TRENTON — Trenton School District Superintendent Francisco Duran has ordered the opening of Trenton’s first preschool center. On Friday, the District’s Office of Early Childhood, in partnership with the Community Preschool Contracted Providers, Trenton Paraprofessional Association and community volunteers, were beautifying the Stokes Early Learning Preschool Center formerly known as Joseph Stokes Memorial School, located at 915 Parkside Ave.

The Stokes Early Learning Preschool Center will serve as the headquarters for all things pre-school in the district.

As a result of the restructuring of grade levels district wide, Stokes Memorial School would have been closed. But Duran and Trenton Board of Education decided to keep the building in operation as an Early Learning Preschool Center.

“All preschool classes will be housed in this one location. So no matter where you live in the city, if you want to know about pre-school you come here, for resources, for information for registration for everything, you come here,” said Monica Carmichael, Director of the Office of Early Childhood.

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Students must be 3 or 4 year old by September 30th to enroll in the district’s preschool program free of charge. Other Abbott Preschool classes also exist across the city and will not change.

“It is the goal of the Trenton Board of Education to provide extended day services that will implement high quality, cohesive, and engaging learning experiences for three and four year old students that will support the strong foundation needed to succeed in school,” said TBOE officials in a written statement.

In order to facilitate the growth of the Stokes Early Learning Preschool Center, TBOE invites proposals from agencies/organizations to manage and supervise wraparound services before and after school for preschool/prekindergarten students attending the Learning Center.